An improved defensive effort has seen the New Zealand women's hockey team draw 1-1 with Olympic silver medallists Argentina in their second test match in Rosario today.

The Black Sticks went behind to a Noel Barrionuevo penalty corner in the eighth minute but drew level three minutes before halftime through Stacey Michelsen.

A scoreless second half was characterised but solid defence, an improvement on yesterday's first test in which New Zealand were outclassed 4-1 by the hosts, and the timely return of first choice goalkeeper Bianca Russell who had not played since the London Olympics.